Can You Bake A Cake In A Loaf Pan?

Suppose you are mixing up cake batter for a special occasion and open the cabinet to discover that you don't have the cake pan your recipe suggests. You may wonder, could I use a loaf pan instead? Can loaf pans be used for other types of baked goods, other than loaves of bread? We've found informative answers to share with you!

Absolutely, loaf pans are excellent substitutes for cake pans and work well for several other types of baked goods. You may have to adjust the bake time or oven temperature to accommodate the shape of the loaf pan. Otherwise, follow the recipe as directed and adjust the baking time for the best results possible. 

Are you interested in learning more about substituting bakeware? Curious if you could bake brownies or muffins in a loaf pan? Perhaps you have a glass loaf pan, and you wonder if it could serve other uses than simply baking a loaf of bread? Please continue reading this article. We have substantial culinary information to share with you to help you find multi-uses for your loaf pans!

Can you bake a bundt cake in a loaf pan?

Absolutely, you can bake a bundt cake in a loaf pan! Moreover, there are a few considerations for measurement ratios. Firstly, bundt pans are designed 10 inches long and 3 inches in-depth, and the average loaf pans are 8 to 9 inches long, 3 to 4 inches in height and width.

The holding capacity of the bundt pan is 10 to 12 cups of batter, and the loaf pans holding capacity for an 8×4 loaf pan is 4 cups of batter, and a 9x5 loaf pan will hold up to 8 cups.

You will need to reduce measurements to fit the capacity of the loaf pan or make a bundt cake recipe and split the 12 cups of batter between two 9x5 pans. Word of advice — when substituting pans, always double check the pan's capacity to ensure that your batter will fit without overflowing!

Perhaps you are wondering how long to bake a cake in a bundt pan? Click here to read our article dedicated to this topic! 

Can you bake a pound cake in a loaf pan?

Yes, using a loaf pan for a pound cake is often suggested in many recipes and respected culinary figures, including the King Arthur flour company. For best results, mix the pound cake recipe as directed. If you are using unsalted butter, increase the salt measurement to one teaspoon. Also, grease the loaf pan to make removing the pound cake easier.

Click here to view silicone loaf pans at Amazon. 

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between various types of flours? Click here to read our article that shines a light on this topic. 

Can you bake a cake in a glass loaf pan?

Yes, baking a cake in a glass loaf pan is a viable option that requires the baker to make a few slight adjustments to the baking time and oven temperature. Glass slows the flow of heat from the oven to the raw batter, until the glass loaf pan is heated fully. Once the glass is heated to temperature, it will retain the heat much longer than a metal pan.

When baking with glass pans, set the oven temperature 25 degrees lower than what the recipe suggests.  For example, if your recipe calls for 400 degrees Fahrenheit, use 375 degrees Fahrenheit instead. Also, check the progress of your cake a couple of times while it's baking to monitor the glass pan's heat distribution and remove the cake early if necessary.

Click here to view the OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan on Amazon. 

Can you bake brownies in a loaf pan?

Baking brownies in a loaf pan is a fabulous treat that takes the chocolatey goodness of a short square of brownie and transforms it into a slice of brownie. Using a loaf pan recipe is great for small gatherings or one-person households. If the brownie recipe is designed for a nine-inch square pan, it will fit easily in a 9x5 loaf pan. Recipes that call for larger pans may require two 9x5 loaf pans.

Using a glass pan could be beneficial, considering that brownies tend to bake more evenly in glass pans. The glass loaf pan's consistent and slow heat distribution allows the middle to bake fully while lightly crisping the edges. Remember, if you are using a glass loaf pan, lower the temperature the recipe calls for by 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you bake french bread in a loaf pan?

French bread is usually baked on long flat earthenware, terracotta, or non-stick metal sheets with tubes to help shape the dough into long baguette loaves. Baking French bread in a loaf pan will not result in long, thin loaves of bread, but rather a short and stocky loaf with a rustic aesthetic.

If you don't have a french bread pan, you could substitute and use a non-stick cookie sheet. Please bear in mind the shape will not be as well-formed without the shaping effects of the French bread pan, but it will work in a pinch. Another option is to mix your French bread recipe, allow it to rise, and when you are preparing it for baking, fold or roll the dough into loaf shapes and place it in your loaf pan.

Are you curious to see a French bread pan? Click here to view the Chicago Metallic Commercial II French bread pan on Amazon. 

Can you bake muffins in a loaf pan?

Yes! Baking muffins in a loaf pan transforms the standard muffin recipe into a whole new type of baked treat perfect for a midday snack or to pair with a breakfast coffee. Generally, if you convert a muffin recipe to a loaf pan instead of a loaf of muffins, it is considered quick bread.

Frequently, many have asked the leaders of the culinary world how to properly convert the baking time and oven temperature for muffin recipes to loaf pans. The professional cooks and researchers at Cook's Illustrated performed several tests to perfect the muffin pan to loaf pan ratio.

Here is what the professionals have determined. Move the top rack in the oven to the middle, and reduce the recipe-directed temperature by 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Because muffins tend to be small, most recipes suggest baking them at high heat to brown the outsides without overcooking the delicate centers. When baking muffins in a loaf pan, ensuring that the middle of the loaf is fully baked will require an extended baking period.

Always test the center of the loaf with a toothpick to determine if the loaf requires more time or is ready. On average, most muffin loaves, or quick bread, requires 60-70 minutes to bake. If you are sprinkling the top with sugar, you may want to tent the loaf to prevent the sugar from burning.

Additional thoughts

Baking is an art and culinary science that brings family and friends together in your kitchen for tasty treats and memories. Moreover, ensuring food and kitchen safety does need to be an utmost priority to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.

Always keep the following in mind for a happy and healthy kitchen:

• Keep kitchen countertops clean and use antibacterial cleaners
• Do not eat raw dough
• Thoroughly wash hands before each task
• Always bake and cook foods to the correct temperature, consult your cookbook, and use a thermometer
• Always wear oven mitts to prevent burns
• Keep hair tied back or under a cap
• Keep small children and pets out of the kitchen when using a knife or operating hot ovens
• Be mindful when preparing  eggs, meat, milk, and poultry-these foods are highly susceptible to food-borne illnesses

In closing

Learning the art of using your bakeware interchangeably will help you gain more resourceful skills as a home cook. Resourcefulness is one of the most valuable skills that a home cook or professional can cultivate.  We hope this article has helped you gain a few tips for baking your next cake or favorite brownie recipe in a loaf pan. Please visit Kitchenseer.com soon for more helpful and inspiring content!

Be sure to check out some of our other posts before you go to help further your culinary knowledge base:

What Kind Of Pan Is Best For Baking Cinnamon Rolls?

How To Organize Baking Pans [7 Options To Consider]

Are Convection Ovens Good For Baking Cakes And Cookies?